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The
Messenger St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church
From the Pastor
January 2020
“The star proclaims the King is here; but Herod, why this senseless fear?”LSB 399, verse 1
The one thing that a majority of people associate with Epiphany is the star leading the Magi to Bethlehem.
Martin Luther noted, however, that the star didn’t actually get the job done. The star announced to the ancient
stargazers that a king had been born to the Jews, but it didn’t tell them where to find Him. Using human
(natural) reason, they trotted off to the logical spot – Jerusalem – only to find business as usual and no one
celebrating the birth of a king.
Nature – even a miracle such as a star – will only get a person so far. The Scripture, however, can get you all
the way to where Jesus may be found. King Herod asked the scribes about the ancient prophecy, and they
answered from Micah: “In Bethlehem of Judea.” With this prophecy tucked into their hearts, the magi
journeyed toward the city of David, and suddenly the star they had seen when it rose reappeared, and it led the
way to the house where the child and His mother were found.
Thanks be to God that He has written into nature and into our hearts the knowledge that there is a Creator! But,
during this season of Epiphany, let us rejoice even more greatly that God did not leave us to stumble around
searching for Him (e.g. the Magi) with natural knowledge alone: in such a case, we would end-up following in
the footsteps of the Greeks, Romans, and other polytheistic religions. No: God has revealed Himself to us in
Jesus Christ, and has sent the Holy Spirit to guide us to Jesus, so that we would know who He is and how He
has saved us from eternal condemnation.
As God has given us such a great gift by revealing Himself to us, let us rejoice in Him and devour every word
He has spoken concerning Himself! Let us search the Scriptures so that, when others come to us seeking the
Christ, we may firmly and confidently direct them to where He may be found: in Scripture, in Baptism, and in
the Holy Supper for the forgiveness of their sins.
May God grant you a happy and blessed Epiphany season.
Pastor Lorenz
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News and Notes of St. Peter
Congregational
Christian Care
Please pray for, phone, visit, and or send a card
or note to the following members that may be
recovering or home bound.
Englewood Health & Rehabilitation – Mildred
Craig
Heritage of Huntington – Betty Pike; Maxine
Stetzel
Heritage, Warren – Edward Campbell, Jr.
Lutheran Life Village – Rev. Donald Fischer; Ruth
Guhl
Miller’s Merry Manor – Neil & Sandy
Stonebraker
Markle Health & Rehabilitation – Jean Simmons
Tipton Place – Rolland Hoch
Home – Jason Cozad; Bradley Heideman; Jack
Guy; Ruth Moon; Laurie Trlak
Prayer List: Shirley Baker; Nancy Ashbaugh;
Darlene (healing/recovery), friend of George
Ditzler; Ruth Guy; Vicki Oden Kimmel (health
concerns), friend of Karen Smith; Kay Whitesell;
Robert Whitesell; Mark Cozad; Lois Clark, sister
of Donna Dennis; Heather Holzinger (cancer
treatments) friend of Larry Baade; Connie Young,
friend of Becky Hitzfield.
If you discover that the information has changed,
please call the Church office so we can update this
list.
80 Plus Birthdays this month!
January
1//2 Lowell Richardson 84
1/22 Marjorie Richardson 83
Tape Ministry
If you are unable to attend the worship
services for any reason, including short-term
recoveries, we would be happy to drop off a
copy of the sermon or tape of the service
which includes a bulletin. Please call Pam
and Jack Wertenberger at 356-8139 or Pam’s
cell phone: 260-388-2507 to arrange for
delivery. If you have received and
listened to previous tapes, please place
in a bag on your door to be picked up
when a new tape is delivered. Thanks for
your help.
Jack & Pam Wertenberger
Christmas Decorating
Thanks to everyone that helped to decorate the
church for the Christmas Season. With the help
of all, the decorating was completed in a couple of
hours.
Poinsettias were given by:
Ted & Janet McElhaney
Roger & Becky Hitzfield
Richard & Audra Herber
Linda Hollowell & Family
Sue Eltzroth
Diana Cozad
George & Barba Eickhoff
Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Ashbaugh
Ed & Diane Campbell
Joyce Gravely
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Organizations
Ladies’ Guild: NO January meeting. The
next meeting will be Tuesday, February 4th
at 7:00 pm in the lower level of the education
building.
St. Peter Association of Retired
Keenagers (SPARKS) – The lucky winner
of the drawing at the December meeting was
Janet Bennett. The January meeting will be
held at noon on Wednesday, January 8th at
Chapman’s on Cherry St.
Dorcas Circle: Will meet on Wednesday,
January 15th in the reception room of the
church education building. Eleanor Smith
will be hostess. Please let Eleanor know if
you plan to attend. Her phone number is
260-356-1283 or tell her in person at church.
Quilters: Quilting is on holiday until
Wednesday, January 8th. They will resume
at 9am. The quilters are always thankful for
donations of cotton fabric, new or slightly
used flat sheets.
Choir: Do you like to sing? Please join the
choir on Wednesday evenings at7 pm. Gather
in the church by the piano. If you have
questions, please call Keith Crider at
260-356-8097.
LYF: ATTENTION
If you are interested in going to the Higher
Things Youth Conference this summer,
please contact Linda Crider as soon as
possible. The theme this year is
"Watermarked" based on 1 Peter 3:21. The
deadline for the early registration is January
31. The early registration fee is $385 per
person and must be paid at the time
of registration.
If you have any questions or concerns, please
contact me.
1/19 James & Barbara Spreen 40 years
Soup and Dessert Cook-off
The fourth annual soup and dessert cook-off
will be held on Sunday, February 9th after
church at noon. So get those recipes out and
decide which is your favorite soup or dessert.
Remember you are not too old or too young to
enter. One from the youth group has won
the soup and also the dessert. Please
register if you plan to bring either a soup or
dessert so we have enough room for each and
that the committee can plan accordingly.
Forms will be available mid-January.
Greeters
Greeters for 2020 are as follows: January Saturday Lowell and Marjorie Richardson
Sunday Beverly and Gary Webb and Family
February Saturday Dewayne and Sharon Anderson
Sunday Karen Smith
March Saturday Ted and Janet McElhaney
Sunday Wayne and Nancy Ashbaugh
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A Little Heavenly Humor
Growing in the Faith
Below, find a few questions meant to tickle
your brain cells and remind you of things
that you were taught years ago. Answers
may be found in the given Bible passage.
1. What was the name of the priest under whom Samuel ministered? (1 Samuel 2:11) 2. How did Eli die? (1 Samuel 4:18) 3. What three things were placed into the Ark of the Covenant? (Hebrews 9:4) 4. What was significant about the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant? (Leviticus 16:2) 5. What happened when the Philistines placed the Ark of the Covenant in their temple? (1 Samuel 5:2-12)
Putting it all together:
6. WHY did the events of 1 Samuel 5 take place? Or, what was causing these things to take place? (c.f. Exodus 3:2, 6; Exodus 33:20)
Synod Constitution
Enclosed with this “Messenger” is copy of the
Synod Constitution changes that will be voted
on by our congregation at the February Voters
meeting.
As you read in the first paragraph, the 2019
convention of The Lutheran Church –
Missouri Synod adopted the changes, now
needs to be ratified by the congregations.
Please read before the Voters meeting, and
bring copy with you if you have questions. The
amendments will NOT be read at the Voters
Meeting in February.
Children Program
The children participating in the Children’s
Christmas program on December 15th.
The children did a wonderful presentation
telling and singing about the birth of our Lord
and Savior.
DON’T FORGET TO RETURN THE
TIME & TALENT FORMS BY
JANUARY 5
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SERVING THIS MONTH
JANUARY 2020
ELDER
SATURDAY: GEORGE JUERGENS SUNDAY: RICHARD SMITH
GREETERS
SATURDAY: Lowell and Marjorie Richardson
SUNDAY: Beverly and Gary Webb and Family
ALTAR CARE: Leigh Ann & Ashton Jones
Saturday, January 4, 2020 5:00 PM Communion Assistant Ron Brown
Communion Assistant Ted McElhaney
Acolyte Ted McElhaney
Sunday, January 5 10:15 AM Communion Assistant Larry Baade
Communion Assistant Ethan Stoppenhagen
Acolyte Andrew Crider
Saturday, January 11 5:00 PM Acolyte Erika Brown
Sunday, January 12 10:15 AM Acolyte Ian Crider
Saturday, January 18 5:00 PM Communion Assistant Ted McElhaney
Communion Assistant Fred Lange
Acolyte Fred Lange
Sunday, January 19 10:15 AM Communion Assistant Jeff Derr
Communion Assistant David Woelmer
Acolyte Drew Dorsett
Saturday, January 25 5:00 PM Acolyte Jase Gunn
Sunday, January 26 10:15 PM Acolyte Brianna Thomas
If you are scheduled at a time that does not work for you, please contact an acolyte or communion assistant listed to take your place and let the office know so changes to the bulletin can be made. Thank you for your commitment to serve at St. Peter Church.
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ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH
January 2020
NOTES:
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 HAPPY NEW YEAR OFFICE CLOSED
2 12:00 Bulletin Deadline
3 4 4:00 Bible Class 5:00 Divine Service w/Communion
5 9:00 Sunday School & Bible Class 10:15 Divine Service w./Communion
6 9:00 Chapel @ Heritage 10:15 Chapel @ Tipton 6:30 Elders
7 11:00-12:00 Diaper Store 1:00 Chapel @ Millers 5:00-6:00 Diaper Store
8 9:00 Quilting 12:00 SPARKS 7:00 Choir
9 12:00 Bulletin Deadline 1:30 @ Heritage Communion 6:30 JR Confirmation
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11 10:3.0 Elders Bible Study 4:00 Bible Class 5:00 Divine Service
12 9:00 Sunday School & Bible Class 10:15 Divine Service
13 9:00 Chapel @ Heritage 10:15 Chapel @ Tipton 7:00 Council
14 1:00 Chapel @ Millers
15 9:00 Quilting Noon: Dorcas Circle 7:00 Choir
16 12:00 Bulletin Deadline 6:30 JR Confirmation
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18 4:00 Bible Class 5:00 Divine Service w/Communion
19 9:00 Sunday School & Bible Class 10:15 Divine Service w/Communion
20 9:00 Chapel @ Heritage 10:15 Chapel @ Tipton 12:00 Messenger Deadline
21 11:00-12:00 Diaper Store 1:00 Chapel @ Millers 5:00-6:00 Diaper Store 7:00 Stewardship
22 9:00 Quilting 7:00 Choir
23 12:00 Bulletin Deadline 6:30 JR Confirmation
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25 4:00 Bible Class 5:00 Divine Service
26 9:00 Sunday School & Bible Class 10:15 Divine Service
27 9:00 Chapel @ Heritage 10:15 Chapel @ Tipton
28 1:00 Chapel @ Millers
29 9:00 Quilting 7:00 Choir
30 12:00 Bulletin Deadline 6:30 JR Confirmation
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